Easily checking the serial # on an SD?

[sbakar]

Hi,

Is there any easy way, i.e. without removing the bracelet, to check the serial number on an SD? I know that the clasp code (EO, PJ, CL, etc.) can be used to roughly date an SD, but how about the serial number printed on the case? Is this determinable upon casual inspection at an AD?

Thanks.

SNB

[TARDIS]

The garantie which has the perforated number on the top right side.

Some of the newer models have the serial on the RBR at 6 o'clock.

If you don't have the springbar tool, your AD should do it for you while you wait.

[steel4me]

Originally Posted by sbakar

Hi,

Is there any easy way, i.e. without removing the bracelet, to check the serial number on an SD?
SNB

NO!

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by TARDIS

(...)Some of the newer models have the serial on the RBR at 6 o'clock.
(...)

I haven't seen an SD with the RBR, yet. They might be out there, but my M35XXXX SD does not have it.

So far, the SD seems to be the LAST Rolex without the RBR. Even the classic Explorer ("1", i.e. no date) got it recently.

[sbakar]

It seems that, by all accounts, the RBR is imminent on the SD. Good to know that the M35's do not have it yet.

Does the clasp code generally agree with the date of manufacture of the entire watch? Is there any way of telling a lag between clasp manufacture and serial number? If no, then the clasp code (easily checked) can be used as a rough estimate of when the watch was made, no?

Thanks for any info.

SNB

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by sbakar

It seems that, by all accounts, the RBR is imminent on the SD. Good to know that the M35's do not have it yet.

Does the clasp code generally agree with the date of manufacture of the entire watch? Is there any way of telling a lag between clasp manufacture and serial number? If no, then the clasp code (easily checked) can be used as a rough estimate of when the watch was made, no?

Thanks for any info.

SNB

Well, generally you cannot expect the clasp and case to have been made at the same time. Also, bear in mind that the sites giving clasp code dates have to be taken with a grain of salt since (at least for some years) it's mere guesswork. Note the * on for instance www.oysterinfo.de after some of the clasp codes.

[sbakar]

Fair enough, but hopefully it should allow telling whether a watch has been made in early 2007 vs. late 2007?

I.e. a 'resolution' of 6 months or so?

SNB

[SPACE-DWELLER]

To take an example, I bought my SD on 2008-03-13. It's an M-series (M35XXXX). The clasp code says "E012" (= December 2007).

My other Rolex watch (an SS Daytona) is also an M-series (M04XXXX), bought on 2008-09-28. The clasp code says "E05" (= May 2007).

Although you cannot say for certain when exactly the cases were made, it does seem like the clasps are of an earlier date than the watch cases themselves.

[Mrdi]

?? 2008-09-28.

[sbakar]

I'm assuming it was 2007 ;)

Are there any other examples of time lags between case and clasp? Please share!

Thanks.

SNB